IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

Hubei Shennongjia

2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

SITE INFORMATION Country: China Inscribed in: 2016 Criteria: (ix) (x)

Located in Hubei Province, in central-eastern China, the site consists of two components: Shennongding/Badong to the west and Laojunshan to the east. It protects the largest primary forests remaining in Central China and provides habitat for many rare animal species, such as the Chinese Giant Salamander, the Golden or Sichuan Snub-nosed Monkey, the Clouded Leopard, Common Leopard and the Asian Black Bear. Hubei Shennongjia is one of three centres of biodiversity in China. The site features prominently in the history of botanical research and was the object of international plant collecting expeditions in the 19th and 20th centuries. © UNESCO

SUMMARY

2020 Conservation Outlook Finalised on 01 Dec 2020

GOOD WITH SOME CONCERNS

The overall conservation outlook for the property is good with some concerns. It is generally recognised that the property will require long-term, active management and this will particularly be the case within the buffer zones to ensure that developments are of an appropriate scale and design, and are consistent with inherent World Heritage values. Increased attention and capacity will, therefore, be necessary to manage issues both within the core areas of the property and also within the buffer zones. This means that land uses need to be managed in ways that are sympathetic to the values of the property as well as providing opportunities to generate sustainable livelihood benefits to local communities. However, the site already has widespread support within all levels of Government, some local people and other stakeholders. A legitimate concern is the actual and potential increase of tourism, which is anticipated to increase significantly. Improvements to transport infrastructure have already taken place, including opening of the nearby Shennongjia Airport in 2014. This, and upgraded highway infrastructure, has the potential to dramatically increase visitation and will have significant impact. However, tourism planning, management and monitoring are in place to anticipate increasing demand, consideration to limits, including carrying capacity for some sites, as well as policies to actively mitigate negative impacts. Other threats relate to buffer zone developments and activities. Developments and encroaching land use such as for tea cultivation need ongoing monitoring. Attention should also be given to integrated conservation and community development initiatives in the buffer zones as a way to foster stronger community stewardship of the World Heritage property. The modification of the boundary to extend the property into the Wulipo Nature Reserve IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment of Chongqing greatly strengthens the ensured connectivity with adjacent forests of the Daba Mountains as well as adding habitat and additional species. The Wulipo forests extend to lower altitudes than the original property and serve as important winter refuge for many birds and some mammals. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

FULL ASSESSMENT

Description of values

Values

World Heritage values

▶ Most complete altitudinal vegetation spectrum in the Criterion:(ix) world

The property includes 11 types of vegetation and an intact altitudinal vegetation spectrum across six gradients including evergreen broad-leaved forest, mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest, deciduous broad-leaved forest, mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest, coniferous forest, and bush/meadow. With 874 species of deciduous woody plants, belonging to 260 genera, Hubei Shennongjia contains the most complete altitudinal natural belts in the world (World Heritage Committee, 2016). The property, located in the mountainous region between the Yangtze and Han Rivers, is within a zone of climatic transition where the warm and cold air masses from north and south meet and are controlled by the Subtropical Gyre. This zone provides the climatic progression from subtropical to the warm temperate zone. The property demonstrates examples of typical mountain altitudinal biological zones in the Oriental Deciduous Forest Biogeographical Province, and is a source of global temperate flora with some of the highest concentrations of global temperate genera (Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People's Republic of China, 2015; IUCN, 2016).

▶ Remarkable example of ongoing ecological processes and Criterion:(ix) evolution

Amongst the mountains of similar latitudes across the world, this distinctive geographical environment makes Hubei Shennongjia stand out in terms of biodiversity, ecosystems and biological evolution. It is also an outstanding example of biological evolution within the Oriental Deciduous Forest Biogeographical Province. Hubei Shennongjia contains exceptional biodiversity and is a key habitat for numerous relic, rare, endangered, endemic, and type species. The number of deciduous woody species in the property is amongst some of the highest in the world. The property is a remarkable example of ongoing ecological processes for the evolution of subtropical mixed broadleaved evergreen and deciduous forest in the Northern Hemisphere. Examples of typical mountain altitudinal biological zones in the Oriental Deciduous Forest Biogeographical Province, and the associated research opportunities into ecological processes of mountain ecosystems at different elevation gradients under global climate change scenarios, are other attributes of the property (Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People's Republic of China, 2015; IUCN, 2016).

▶ Diversity of vascular plant species Criterion:(x)

Hubei Shennongjia’s unique terrain and climate has been relatively little affected by glaciation and thus creates a haven for numerous rare, endangered and endemic species, as well as many of the world’s deciduous woody species. The property exhibits high levels of species richness, especially among vascular plants, and remarkably contains more than 63% of the temperate genera found across all of China, a megabiodiverse country with the world’s greatest diversity of temperate plant genera. The property includes 12.9% of the country’s vascular plant species. With 874 species of deciduous woody plants, belonging to 260 genera, the tree species and genus richness of the site is unparalleled for a deciduous broadleaf forest type worldwide and within the Northern Hemisphere’s evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forests. The property has extremely rich biodiversity, contains a large number of type species, and hosts numerous rare species which have been introduced into horticulture worldwide. Internationally, Shennongjia holds a special place for the study of plant systematics and horticultural science (World Heritage Committee, 2016). IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

▶ Globally significant levels of species richness and Criterion:(x) endemism

Among the fauna, more than 600 vertebrate species have been recorded including 92 mammal, 399 bird, 55 fish, 53 reptile and 37 amphibian species. 4,365 insect species have been identified. The mountainous terrain contains critical habitat for a range of flagship animal species. 1,550 golden or Sichuan snub nosed monkeys are recorded in the property. The golden snub-nosed monkeys in Shennongjia are the most endangered of the 3 sub-species in China and are entirely restricted to the property. Other important species include Clouded Leopard, Common Leopard, Asian Golden Cat, Dhole, Asian Black Bear, Indian Civet, Musk Deer, Chinese Goral, Chinese Serow, Golden Eagle, Reeve’s Pheasant and the world’s largest amphibian the Chinese Giant Salamander (World Heritage Committee, 2016).

Assessment information

Threats

Current Threats Low Threat

A number of low threats exist, mainly related to natural resources use. Hunting, poaching and unauthorised logging and firewood collection are activities that would benefit from monitoring, as detailed data on the level of threat are lacking. Grazing is present in the buffer zones at significant levels. Of more concern are threats posed by infrastructure, particularly National Road 209 which bisects the property. However, the management plan has now recognized the potential impacts of this major road on the migration routes and movement of prey species and wild animals, and some activities have been done to mitigate the isolation effects of the road (IUCN Consultation, 2020).

▶ Roads/ Railroads High Threat (National Road 209 bisecting the property) Inside site, widespread(15-50%) Outside site The significance and potential impacts of this major road on the migration routes and movement of prey species and wild animals are a high threat, but have been well understood and dealt with in the revisions to the nomination and being addressed through the creation of forest 'stepping stones' across a corridor zone to link the two part of the property better (IUCN, 2016). The Administration of Shennongjia National Park has subsequently removed more than 10 kilometers of guardrails on the National Highway 209 and the highway in the core area of the distribution of the golden snub-nosed monkey in Shennongding area. Twenty five wildlife corridors have also been constructed for the crossing of arboreal animals such as the golden snub-nosed monkey, amphibians, reptiles and herbivorous even-footed animals, in addition to warning signs and interpretive panels along the main animal corridors of the highway. Monitoring data from infrared cameras and field patrols shows that wildlife, such as the golden snub-nosed monkey, move through the biological corridors, and so the corridors can be considered to be effectively mitigating the isolation effects of the roads (IUCN Consultation, 2020).

▶ Livestock Farming / Grazing Low Threat (Grazing within Buffer Zone) Outside site

Within the context of this property, buffer zones are particularly important as they separate core areas and provide connectivity corridors (Jeffries, 2015), making grazing of livestock within them a threat to the spectrum of vegetation for which the site is inscribed on the World Heritage list. However, The Administration of Shennongjia National Park have now issued and implemented the Protection Regulations of Shennongjia National Park in 2018, which strictly prohibit grazing behavior, and reach a consensus with local residents through community promotion to strictly abide by the relevant regulations and livestock (IUCN Consultation, 2020). IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

▶ Hunting and trapping, Logging/ Wood Harvesting Low Threat (Hunting, poaching and unauthorised logging and firewood Inside site, extent of threat not known collection) Outside site

Despite a ban in place within the site since 2000, hunting, poaching and illegal logging and firewood collection remain a problem in the more remote villages. It was noted in the evaluation report that controlling such activities would benefit from better monitoring (IUCN, 2016). As such, after the implementation of the Protection Regulations of Shennongjia National Park, stricter protection has been carried out, further eliminating logging, poaching and other illegal acts (IUCN Consultation, 2020).

▶ Utility / Service Lines Low Threat (Transmission lines, mobile phone towers, and pipelines) Inside site, scattered(5-15%) Outside site High tension transmission pylons and lines, and communication/telephone towers are evident in many parts of the property. These are a visual intrusion on a high-quality natural landscape (IUCN, 2016). However, these transmission lines are necessary to provide for the livelihood requirements of local communities and conservation management activities of The Administration. Some have now been partially converted into underground cables (IUCN Consultation, 2020).

▶ Fire/ Fire Suppression Very Low Threat (Fires) Inside site, extent of threat not known Outside site Most of the property is a humid green forest where extensive fires are not much of a threat, but deciduous forest zones, conifer zones and the montane bamboo thickets would be fire-prone in a dry spell. Tourists would pose a threat to such montane bamboo and warnings need to be placed to increase fire-responsible visitation eg. against discarding cigarette buts etc. Staff report that fire is an uncommon occurrence and that there have been no forest fires in the heritage site for 39 consecutive years (IUCN, 2016; IUCN Consultation, 2020; State Forestry Bureau, and Administration Bureau of Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, n.d.).

Potential Threats Low Threat

The harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) is a potentially relevant threat, but there is little data in terms of actual use and trends. It is assumed that subsistence levels of harvesting for domestic use are well-established and are within sustainable limits. An area of primary concern is the illegal trade of NTFPs. A gradual progression carried out through collaborative community-based building has a significant potential to progressively address this potential threat. The quarries which were observed in the evaluation mission should be monitored such that mining operations do not return to the site in the future.

▶ Collection of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), Other Data Deficient Biological Resource Use Inside site, extent of threat not known (Harvesting plants, fungi, and other non-timber/non-animal Outside site products for commercial, subsistence, cultural purposes)

The harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) is a potential threat, but there is little data in terms of actual use and trends. It is assumed that subsistence levels of harvesting for domestic use are well-established and are within sustainable limits, however an area of primary concern is the illegal trade of NTFPs (IUCN, 2015). The Protection Regulations of Shennongjia National Park have strictly prohibited the illegal collection and use of wildlife resources. The Administration of Shennongjia National Park has strengthened the publicity of illegal collection, monitoring and combating against illegal collection practices, and has implemented a series of subsidy policies, including the use of electricity instead of firewood, with each household receiving an annual subsidy of CNY 3,000, greatly reducing residents' reliance on natural resources (IUCN Consultation, 2020). IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

▶ Mining/ Quarrying Very Low Threat (Previous mining activities in the site) Inside site, scattered(5-15%) Outside site During the WH Field Mission some quarrying sites were observed (IUCN, 2016). However, it is reported that there are now no mining practices in the property. Since 2017, the Administration of Shennongjia National Park has ordered 32 quarries, sand factories and sand (stone) stock yards to cease production and has completed ecological restoration works within previously affected areas, including afforestation (IUCN Consultation, 2020). This threat should continue to be monitored such that mining operations do not return to the site.

Overall assessment of threats Low Threat

A number of low threats exist, mainly related to natural resources use. Hunting, poaching and unauthorised logging and firewood collection are activities that would benefit from monitoring, as detailed data on the level of threat are lacking. Other threats relate to buffer zone developments and activities. Developments and encroaching land use such as for tea cultivation need ongoing monitoring. Attention should also be given to integrated conservation and community development initiatives in the buffer zones as a way to foster stronger community stewardship of the World Heritage property. Of more concern are threats posed by infrastructure, particularly National Road 209 which bisects the property. The management planning framework includes significant resource information but falls short in that it fails to provide a vision and cohesive suite of objectives, strategies and activities for broad-spectrum implementation across the property.

Protection and management

Assessing Protection and Management

▶ Management system Some Concern

The Hubei Shennongjia World Heritage Natural Site is a component of the larger Shennongjia National Park, along with a number of other component protected areas and is managed in an integrated manner by the Administration of Shennongjia National Park according to the Hubei NP Master Plan. At the time of inscription, it was noted in the IUCN evaluation report that the complex biodiversity/ecosystem, geographic, administrative, social economic, political and cultural realities of the property suggest that an integrated and cohesive management and administrative structure would enhance management effectiveness, and provide increased protection for the property and its biodiversity conservation values (IUCN, 2016). This has been addressed through a number of measures including the establishing of an efficient management system, realizing integrated management, fully integrating overlapping protected areas and related management institutions, and zoning-based management, and promulgating and implementing the Protection Regulations of Shennongjia National Parks (IUCN Consultation, 2020).

▶ Effectiveness of management system Mostly Effective

The property has been partially demarcated and some boundaries were marked. A multi-level management system is established: 1. State Forestry Administration, 2. Provincial Forestry Department, 3. Shennongjia Forestry District, 4. Prefecture. Administrative bureaus for the nature reserves and administrative commissions of parks have been established to undertake management activities on behalf of the government. Since 2019, the responsible agency for natural world Heritage has been transferred from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development to the National Administration of Forests and Grasslands. This is the same agency that is in charge of actual management of the site and leads to much better coordination. Shennongjia was voted as China's best managed protected area by the State Forestry Administration which has now been restructured as the National Administration of IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

Forests and Grasslands.

▶ Boundaries Some Concern

The boundaries of the area are defined and for the most part encompass the necessary attributes of Outstanding Universal Value. Boundaries have taken account of natural features such as watershed margins and ridges. A key concern regarding the boundaries at the time of inscription was the loss of ecological connectivity across the 10km corridor that separates the two component parts of the property and is the location of the arterial road (Highway 209) (IUCN, 2016; Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People‘s Republic of China, 2015). However a number of measures have been implemented to reduce the barrier effects of the highway including bridges and tunnels along side adequate signage for road users (IUCN Consultation, 2020). The western boundary follows the provincial border. A nomination has been submitted to WH to make minor boundary modification on the western boundary into the Wulipo Nature Reserve of Chongqing Municipality. Excellent forest occurs here, and the giant salamander and endangered birds are recorded. The modification would extend the habitats and populations of the species occurring in Shennongjia, add new species at lower altitudes, and allow much better connectivity to the rest of the Daba Mountains. Emphasis must be placed on retaining good connectivity with the adjacent Dajiu Lake National Wetland Park to the NW of the property which complements the mountain ecosystems of Shennongjia with an intermontane wetland Ramsar Site.

▶ Integration into regional and national planning systems Mostly Effective

Shennongjia WH site serves as the core of a larger conservation focus called the Greater Shennongjia Forest Area and is also being developed as a new National Park under the recent PA reforms in China. The request to modify the western boundary to include parts of Chongqing's Wulipo Nature Reserve is another example of planning across the wider landscape and protecting the links to other forests of the Daba Mountains. Shennongjia is recognised as a priority biodiversity region under China's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and is also a priority area of the Key Ecological Zones system developed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection which has been restructured as the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

▶ Relationships with local people Some Concern

The different levels of management and administration, including field staff, demonstrate a commitment to community well-being and livelihoods. This is now being reflected in economic flow to local villages inside the property and buffer zones. The construction of new roads and houses in these villages is a testament to their rising standards of living. (IUCN, 2016; State Party, 2020). Such economic development may not be in the best interests of the natural environment.

▶ Legal framework Mostly Effective

The property is all state-owned land with the two components of the property, Shennongding/Badong to the west and the smaller Laojunshan area to the east, both protected within the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve. The extension to the nominated area in the south is protected within the Badong Golden Monkey National Nature Reserve. A range of national, provincial and county-level laws and regulations affords protection to Hubei Shennongjia and the area is coincident with several other protective designations at national and international levels (National Forest Park, global and national level Biosphere Reserves and Geoparks). Under the major reforms of the PA system in China, the new category of National Park is destined to become the core of the PA system. Shennongjia is one of 20 pioneer sites being developed as a National Park. New legislation, regulations and management arrangements are forthcoming and look very positive.

▶ Law enforcement Mostly Effective

The patrolling and enforcement systems are reasonably effectively co-ordinated. Shennongjia is regarded as one of the best managed and protected protected areas in China. (State Forestry Administration, and Administration Bureau of Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, 2015; IUCN, 2016). IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

▶ Implementation of Committee decisions and Mostly Effective recommendations

At the time of the inscription of the property, the Committee made a number of requests to the State Party. These have been addressed through the following measures: (i) Ecological connectivity has been enhanced between the core habitat areas of the property through a comprehensive set of measures on behalf of the State Party which include the removal of more than 10 kilometers of guardrails on the National Highway 209 and the highway in the core area of the distribution of the golden snub-nosed monkey in Shennongding area, and building of 25 wildlife corridors for the crossing of arboreal animals such as the golden snub-nosed monkey, amphibians, reptiles and herbivorous even-footed animals. 27 warning signs and 20 interpretive panels have been made and installed, and 3 deceleration warning signs have been set at the main animal corridors of the highway (Zhongguang Highway Survey and Design Co., 2017; IUCN Consultation, 2020). (ii) The legal protection of wildlife corridors and habitat stepping stone areas have been identified within the wider Shennongjia National Park's strict protection zone and ecological conservation zone and are under the statutory protection of the Protection Regulations of Shennongjia National Park, with the same level of conservation management as the World Heritage site. (iii) The management planning system for the property has been adapted to include the adjacent Chongqing Wulipo National Nature Reserve (63.06km2 of the heritage site and 38.54km2 of the buffer zone), which is included in the Master Plan. The Administration of Shennongjia National Park has also jointly established the Alliance of Adjacent Protected Areas of Western Hubei and Eastern Chongqing with the management agencies of six national nature reserves (IUCN Consultation, 2020). (iv) The Master Plan of Shennongjia National Park (2016-2025) addresses concerns of the Committee regarding tourism with a tourism development plan within the document, the main contents of which include tourism development status assessment, tourism development ideas, environmental capacity estimation, etc. (v) Investment has been increased in management capacity directed to the property’s buffer zone, with a particular emphasis on integrating cultural, social economic and co-management opportunities into the property’s management regime. Activities so far include the establishment of community co-management mechanisms, public welfare and job creation schemes, a compensation system for ecological protection, assisting in the construction of community infrastructure, skills training and industry development (IUCN Consultation, 2020). (vi) In recent years, The Administration of Shennongjia National Park has taken charge of 19 major national and provincial science and technology research projects, and 5 projects at the district level in order to further research and inventory key faunal populations, including the golden snub-nosed monkey. (vii) Reviewed and clarified the property’s zoning system tailored to the habitat and spatial needs of key species (IUCN Consultation, 2020).

▶ Sustainable use Some Concern

Limited analyses have been undertaken to assess biodiversity and ecosystem services. This is possibly a gap, which indicates that the spatial overlap between biodiversity targets and ecosystem services needs more attention from both ecologists and social scientists (IUCN, 2016). However, with the aim of improving the management model to this end, the Administration has organized and carried out a number of studies into this topic which include valuing ecological service functions for ecological compensation, coordinated development etc. which explore management systems under which both conservation and development can be achieved, so that residents in the surrounding communities can better enjoy economic benefits and enhance their own development capabilities (IUCN Consultation, 2020).

▶ Sustainable finance Mostly Effective

Funding is provided through Government appropriations, which is reported to have increased year on year (IUCN Consultation, 2020). There is a commitment from the Central Government to invest in conservation and tourism futures for the region. A detailed 3-year investment strategy will increase annual resourcing by 20%. CNY 151 million was allocated in 2017, CNY 216 million in 2018, and CNY 242 million in 2019 for the functioning of the Park Administration. A substantial CNY 45 million (USD 6.9m) p.a. has been pledged for the property to support a range of management needs including significant investment in community development and, in the Badong County, addition to the nominated IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

area. Staffing levels are increased with 383 full-time employees in 2019, including 152 of administrative staff and 231 of other staff.

▶ Staff capacity, training, and development Mostly Effective

At a field/operational level, management is divided into three levels: Administration Bureau, Conservation Station, and Conservation Point. The staffing structure and capacity are considered satisfactory and the property reports a total of 215 full-time personnel, 93 of which are administrative and professional technical staff, 80% of whom have tertiary qualifications. Staff expertise covers a range including: physical geography, geology, environmental protection engineering, administration, botany, zoology, planning, national park and garden management, GIS, tourism management, forestry, water conservation and hydrological engineering, and finance and accounting. (Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People‘s Republic of China, 2015; IUCN, 2016).

▶ Education and interpretation programs Mostly Effective

Some positive efforts are in place to involve village-level governments into co-management of buffer areas. The site is well served with education centres including an Exhibition Center, Bee Garden, Landscape Hall, Geology Exhibition Hall, 4D cinema presentation, Biology Exhibition Hall, Scientific Research Exhibition Hall, Folkways Exhibition Hall (Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People‘s Republic of China, 2015; IUCN, 2016).

▶ Tourism and visitation management Mostly Effective

Improved engagement between tourism interests and site protection and management is an aspect that has been noted as needing more attention. The management of tourism and the impacts of large numbers of tourists on natural resources is a protected area management function that needs interagency coordination (Jeffries, 2015; IUCN, 2016). However, The Administration has established monitoring points for the number of tourists, visiting activities and service facilities at major tourist activity sites and tourist entrances to keep abreast of the impact of tourist activities on the ecological environment (IUCN Consultation, 2020). Video monitoring systems and visitor flow control systems function through 285 fixed cameras in scenic areas, communities, and habitats of key conservation objects, through which human activities in important parts of the National Park, the protection of wildlife resources and the fire risks can be monitored in real time (IUCN Consultation, 2020).

▶ Monitoring Mostly Effective

Patrolling and enforcement systems are reasonably well coordinated, with integrated protection forces and formulated patrol plans (IUCN Consultation ,2020). However, there are possible difficulties reconciling how monitoring results carried out during routine patrolling are translated into site directed management actions. Additionally, 285 fixed cameras have now been installed in scenic areas, communities, and key conservation areas, through which human activities in important parts of the National Park, the protection of wildlife resources and fire risks can be monitored in real time (IUCN Consultation, 2020). The big data platform has been used for real-time statistics of the visitor flow and setting the visitor bearing capacity (IUCN Consultation, 2020).

▶ Research Some Concern

The nomination was based on excellent surveys and research information and presented persuasive and well researched argument based on biodiversity, ecological systems and species with strong emphasis on botanical attributes and values. Socio economic attributes including tourism and visitor use, ecosystem services valuation would benefit from in-depth applied research. However, in recent years, The Administration of Shennongjia National Park has taken charge of 19 major national and provincial science and technology research projects, and 5 projects at the district level, and received more than CNY 30 million in total scientific research funds, and has signed cooperation agreements with 24 scientific research institutes, such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Through the implementation of various research projects, the Administration has carried out inventory survey and comprehensive, scientific monitoring of biological resources; in-situ, ex-situ and breeding conservation studies on a IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

variety of rare wild animals and plants, such as the golden snub-nosed monkey, and systematically assessed ecological protection, ecological services and ecological compensation functions. A number of research efforts have been made to promote the establishment of an active management model for coordination between conservation and development following requests from the Committee to undertake activities related to these topics . The efforts to create a partial corridor across State Highway 209 remains a priority research topics, however recent monitoring data suggest that the infrastructure put in place to heighten connectivity over the road is being well-used by animals (IUCN Consultation, 2020). Additional research has been undertaken in adjacent Wulipo Nature Reserve in Chongqing leading to strong justification for a minor boundary mofication of the property (State Party of China, 2020). Other research considerations could include: conservation corridors and connectivity, climate change, deforestation, habitat loss, and species dispersal areas (IUCN, 2016; Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People‘s Republic of China, 2015).

Overall assessment of protection and management Mostly Effective

Overall the protection and management of Hubei Shennongjia is mostly effective. Many of the elements associated with management effectiveness are in place or progressively being developed such as the realizing integrated management through integrating overlapping protected areas and related management institutions as well as further developments in relation to field-based patrolling, monitoring and research. However, the socio economic elements of management would benefit from deeper consideration, although are reportedly being addressed (ICUN Consultation, 2020).

▶ Assessment of the effectiveness of protection and Some Concern management in addressing threats outside the site

The complexity associated with the effective management of buffer zones would benefit from specific protected area policies and community-based action plans. Consideration could be directed to developing working relationships and co-management approaches with the 8,000 +- residents that are living in the buffer zone. The main occupations for communities within the buffer zone include bee-keeping, tourism and tea-planting / processing and retailing. Significant construction is also taking place within the buffer zone, including buildings for communities that are / or have already been relocated from core areas. An assessment of the scale and location of existing infrastructure and adequate planning for future provisions would be a useful consideration. However progress has been made as the Administration of Shennongjia National Park has cooperated with the management agency of the added part of the property in Badong County to set up a co-management committee with regular meetings and jointly conducted personnel trainings and field patrols to ensure coordinated conservation management of the site. The Alliance of Adjacent Protected Areas of Western Hubei and Eastern Chongqing with the management agencies of six national nature reserves, will also help to achieve connectivity and joint protection among the protected areas. A minor modification to the boundaries of Shennongjia World Heritage site has been carried out to include the adjacent Chongqing Wulipo National Nature Reserve (63.06km2 of the heritage site and 38.54km2 of the buffer zone) into the Hubei Shennongjia World Heritage Site to enhance the ecological resilience and richness of the site and ensure the connectivity and integrity of the OUV protection.

▶ Best practice examples

The site is regarded as one of the best managed protected areas in China. It serves as a model for other sites to emulate and is also being developed as one of the pioneer National Parks.

State and trend of values

Assessing the current state and trend of values IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

World Heritage values

▶ Most complete altitudinal vegetation spectrum in the Low Concern world Trend:Stable

Some locations within buffer zones are significantly modified and include several villages and a town. Some encroachment into forest areas for gathering wood and tea cultivation has been reported.Any further agricultural and tourism development would be unsympathetic to wider landscape values. (IUCN, 2016) The road corridor (National Road 209) is the most significant threat to the ecological functionality of the property as it splits the system into two with the lower reaches of the valley also subject to disturbance. However, the steps taken by the Management Authority to minimise the impact of the road and other developments on connectivity between these component areas is encouraging.

▶ Remarkable example of ongoing ecological processes and Low Concern evolution Trend:Stable

Ecological changes over the past few decades include maturation of the alpine bamboo scrub habitats, natural reforestation of some of the alpine meadows. Loss of tiger as the top carnivore may be one reason for the increase in sika deer population. Overall, the ecological processes which contribute significantly to the site's OUV are of low concern given the strict protection they are afforded in the core conservation area, as well as improvements which have been made to increase the connectivitiy between components of the site and the wider Shennonjia National Park.

▶ Diversity of vascular plant species Good Trend:Improving

The modest boundary modification to extend the property into Chongqing Municipality Wulipo Nature Reserve adds more than 800 additional vascular plant species and more than 100 additional genera to the original already impressive totals. This shows that the property does not contain thee entire flora of this region of China and emphasises the importance of establishing improved connectivity with other forests of the Daba Mountains and to the important Ramsar wetlands of Dajiu Lake National Wetland Park (State Party, 2020). Nonetheless, the diversity of vascular plant species within the site is in good condition and has improved due to steps such as the minor boundary modification.

▶ Globally significant levels of species richness and Low Concern endemism Trend:Stable

Richness and endemism are proven values and show little change, largely due to the significant conservation efforts towards key endemic species (and subspecies), such as the golden snub-nosed monkey. Rarity of harvested species including giant salamanders gives some concern.

Summary of the Values

▶ Assessment of the current state and trend of World Low Concern Heritage values Trend: Stable

Both the terrain and climate of the property was less affected by glaciation than other comparable areas and consequently, the site is a recognised refugium for numerous rare, endangered and endemic species including many of the world‘s deciduous woody species and this remains the case. The site also has an international reputation as a special place for the study of plant systematics and horticultural science. As the management effectiveness, capacity and local stakeholder participation progressively increases there is significant potential for the integrity of the property to heighten.

IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

Additional information

Benefits

Understanding Benefits

▶ Direct employment, Tourism-related income, Provision of jobs

The property creates many jobs in protection staff and related to tourism. Tourism is a two edged sword bringing income into the region but also posing a lot of negative stress to the environment. Local villagers benefit from direct assistance from the property management bureau but also other eco- compensation mechanisms not fully in place yet. An overwhelming message is that World Heritage Site status offers very few easy socio-economic impacts – and that potential impacts need to be earned. Factors negatively affecting provision of this benefit : - Climate change : Impact level - High, Trend - Increasing - Pollution : Impact level - High, Trend - Continuing - Overexploitation : Impact level - High, Trend - Continuing - Invasive species : Impact level - Low, Trend - Continuing - Habitat change : Impact level - Moderate, Trend - Continuing

Relevant Reference include: 16 WORLD HERITAGE STATUS - Is there opportunity for economic gain? Research and analysis of the socio-economic impact potential of UNESCO World Heritage Site status Rebanks Consulting Ltd and Trends Business Research Ltd. 19 IUCN Evaluation Report – May 2016 IUCN Recommendation to World Heritage Committee: To inscribe the property under natural criteria.

▶ History and tradition, Sacred natural sites or landscapes, Cultural identity and sense of belonging

The property: (i) has a long history of hominid occupation and utilisation. Archaeologists have excavated stone implements made and used about 1.2 million years ago. In Hongping an ancient cave, known locally as Xiniudong, was a site of human activity about 100,000 years ago. Evidence indicates that the property, with its excellent ecological environment and rich biological resources, provided an ideal living environment for early human use and occupation. (ii) features a rich human history of ancient legends as well as mysterious folk customs. There are many myths related to the area as well as numerous examples of a noteworthy intangible cultural heritage. The name Shenongjia reflects the legendary founding emperor of China who was the father of traditional Chinese medecine. The area is renowned for its wealth of medicinal plants. (iii) is located on part of the ancient Shudao road network that linked the Yangtze and Yellow River Valleys in ancient times. (iv) is legendary home to the "wild man" of Shennongjia - a yeti or Saskwatch-like animal leaving huge footprints. Factors negatively affecting provision of this benefit : - Climate change : Impact level - Low, Trend - Continuing - Pollution : Impact level - Low, Trend - Continuing - Overexploitation : Impact level - Low, Trend - Continuing - Invasive species : Impact level - Low, Trend - Continuing - Habitat change : Impact level - Low, Trend - Continuing IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

▶ Soil stabilisation, Flood prevention, Water provision (importance for water quantity and quality)

The ecosystem service provided by the site's water resources are part of a fundamental ecological relationship that present challenges to communities within the property as well as downstream. The rivers, streams, wetlands and riparian zones that make up a significant proportion of the sites OUV are integral to World Heritage Criteria (IX). Fresh water resources, including wetlands, are somewhat degraded. It is important that management planning policies and subsequent objectives and decisions are directed to rectify this. The full hydrological service value needs to be recognized and integrated into decision-making in order to meet the properties social, economic and environmental aspirations. All rivers of the property drain into the Yangtze (Changjiang) river contributing to the efficiency of huge hydro dams such as Three Gorges Dam and Gezhouba as well as serving the water needs of millions of people and huge areas of irrigation down to the mega-city of Shanghai. Better delivery of eco-compensation may be required to finance real improvements in hydrological restoration. Factors negatively affecting provision of this benefit : - Climate change : Impact level - Low, Trend - Continuing - Pollution : Impact level - Moderate, Trend - Continuing - Overexploitation : Impact level - Moderate, Trend - Increasing - Invasive species : Impact level - Low, Trend - Continuing - Habitat change : Impact level - Low, Trend - Continuing

Fresh water regimes within the property are probably reasonably stable. Significant land use change, urban development and agricultural intensification within the buffer zones has significant negative implications in terms of maintaining high-quality ecosystem services

▶ Collection of wild plants and mushrooms, Livestock grazing areas

The collection of wild food, including mushrooms and medicinal plants forms an important contribution to the subsistence of local communities both for personal use and sale to visitors. This form of collection also has social, economic and ecological considerations. The grazing of the livestock, particularly within the buffer zones, needs to be carefully managed and, where necessary, management controls put in place. Factors negatively affecting provision of this benefit : - Climate change : Impact level - Moderate, Trend - Continuing - Pollution : Impact level - Moderate, Trend - Continuing - Overexploitation : Impact level - Moderate, Trend - Continuing - Invasive species : Impact level - Moderate, Trend - Continuing - Habitat change : Impact level - High, Trend - Increasing

level of impact and trend information cannot be quantified.

▶ Importance for research, Collection of genetic material

Mount Shennongjia 3,105 m a.s.l, the highest peak in central China, which includes the watershed separating the Han and Yangtse Rivers, is considered to be one of three centres holding the highest biodiversity in China (Ying 2001). The mountain is also the ecotone between the plains and foothill regions of eastern China to the mountainous region of central China, and the transition zone from the central sub-tropics to the north sub-tropics. Taking the above into account, because it integrates several distinct vertical vegetation zones and the vegetation species habitats, the property is primarily in its natural condition and is a textbook location to test, measure and monitor the hypotheses and theories related to altitudinal patterns of plant species diversity and climate change. As part of the nomination process, a detailed investigation was undertaken. This highlights the distinctive ecological and conservation values that these two large and globally important watersheds contribute to biodiversity IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

conservation values (IUCN, 2016). Factors negatively affecting provision of this benefit : - Overexploitation : Impact level - Moderate, Trend - Increasing - Habitat change : Impact level - Moderate, Trend - Increasing

Summary of benefits

The property currently provides significant benefits directly from the ecosystem services that originate from within the boundaries of the World Heritage site. At this stage it is not possible or appropriate to quantify benefits. A difficulty associated with the identification of World Heritage benefits is that benefits can quickly become overexploited once they have been clearly identified.

Projects

Compilation of active conservation projects

№ Organiz Brief description of Active Projects Website ation

1 National National Programme for the establishment of 20 pioneer National Parks. This https://www.sci Administr programme has been taken over from the State Commission for Reform and encedirect.com ation for Development. Shennongjia was being planned for opening up as a pioneer national /science/article Forests park. The first parks were planned to open in 2020 but ecological protection planning /pii/S25774441 and for the National Park has been suspended because the national policy has been 19300012 Grasslan changing so much, many programmes are delayed by covid-19 virus pandemic and ds there is no clear indication of how to adjust it or when such a park can be opened.

2 World Much of the basic development of the property results from a former GEF project http://documen Bank 1992-7 which provided much training and management planning. ts.worldbank.o GEF rg/curated/en/ 556761468771 841635/pdf/mu lti0page.pdf

3 UNDP Expansion and Improvement of Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of http://addis.un GEF natural resources in the greater Shennongjia area, Hubei Province. The project was ep.org/projectd started in 2015 and is now closed. atabases/0071 9/project_gene ral_info

4 National Dajiu Lake National Wetland Park of Hubei Province, Shennongjia Forestry District. http://www.ra Administr This site is adjacent to Shennongjia on its northwest side and provides a msar.org/pdf/ri ation of complementary system of open wetlands, a lake and peat bogs. The site is being s/key_ris_e.pdf Forests developed as a Ramsar Site. Some fauna exchange with Shennongjia WH property   and and the peat cores provide usedul data about previous climate changes. Grasslan ds

5 Shennon Under the urging of IUCN experts and WH Committee, a special project has been gjia launched to develop wildlife crossings across the Route 209 as well as reforested Forestry patches in a wide corridor. Details of the structures are available in Chinese. Departm ent IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Hubei Shennongjia - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

REFERENCES

№ References

1 State Forestry Administration, and Administration Bureau of Shennongjia National Nature Reserve. (2015).

2 Hubei Zhongguang Highway Survey and Design Co., Ltd. (2017). 神农架国家公园野生动物通道工程; 施工图设计文件 (Shennongjia National Park Wildlife Passage Project; Construction drawing design documents) (in Chinese).

3 IUCN (2015). Field Mission Report to IUCN World Heritage Panel. IUCN World Heritage Evaluation Process - Hubei Shennongjia.

4 IUCN Consultation. (2020). IUCN Confidential Consultation- Hubei Shennonjia, China

5 IUCN. (2016). World Heritage Nomination – IUCN Technical Evaluation, Hubei Shennongjia (China). In: IUCN World Heritage Evaluations 2016, IUCN Evaluations of nominations of natural and mixed properties to the World Heritage List. WHC/16/40.COM/INF.8B2. [online] Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, pp.17-28. Available at: [Accessed 15 January 2017].

6 State Party of China (Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People's Republic of China). (2015). Nomination of Hubei Shennonjia as a World Heritage Site. [online] State Party of China. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1509/documents/ [Accessed 23 February 2017].

7 State Party of China. (2020). Minor Modification to the Boundaries of Hubei Shennongjia, China.

8 World Heritage Committee. (2016). Decision 40 COM 8B.7. Hubei Shennongjia (China). In: Report of decisions of the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee. [online] Paris, France: UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/6786 [Accessed 25 November 2020].

9 Ying Junsheng. (2001). Species diversity and distribution pattern of seed plants in China. Chinese Biodiversity, 9(4), 393-398.